A major change has hut India’s World Cup campaign, with 21-year-old opener Shafali Verma recalled to the national side as a replacement for Pratika Rawal, who sustained an ankle and knee injury while fielding in India’s rain-washed league fixture against Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, on October 26 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has formally approved Verma’s inclusion. She will join Harmanpreet Kaur-led squad before the semi-final against Australia on October 30 and will be available for immediate selection.
Rawal, who emerged as India’s second-highest run-getter in the league stage, suffered the injury in the 21st over of Bangladesh’s innings when she sprinted from deep midwicket to stop a boundary and appeared to twist her right ankle after her foot got stuck in the turf. She did not return to bat, with Amanjot Kaur partnering Smriti Mandhana at the top.
The 25-year-old has accumulated 308 runs in six innings at an average of 51.33 and a strike rate of 77.77, including a career-defining 122 against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai and a fluent 75 against Australia in Visakhapatnam. Her 212-run (Vs New Zealand) and 155-run (Vs Australia) opening partnerships with Mandhana rank among the top five in the tournament.
The selectors have turned back to Shafali Verma, a player known for her explosive starts and fearless shot-making. Not part of the original squad or reserves, Shafali was omitted during August’s selection discussions in favour of Rawal, with the selectors opting for consistency over X-factor at that stage. However, her recent performances across formats and domestic tournaments have kept her firmly in contention.
Shafali last played an ODI for India in October 2024 but has since impressed with India A in 50-over cricket, scoring 52 against Australia A in Brisbane and 70 against New Zealand A in Bengaluru. Domestically, she had a formidable one-day season for Haryana in December 2024, amassing 527 runs at an average of 75.28 and a strike rate of 152.31, highlighted by a 197 off 115 balls against Bengal. Her red-hot form was even seen in the WPL 2025, where she emerged as Delhi Capitals’ most prolific Indian batter and the fourth-highest scorer overall, notching 304 runs at a strike rate of 152.76.
Since her ODI debut against England at Bristol on June 27, 2021, Shafali has accumulated 644 runs in 29 innings at a strike rate of 83.20 and an average of 23, with four half-centuries to her name. Her re-entry into the ODI side offers India a renewed attacking option at the top, particularly ahead of their high-pressure semi-final against Australia, a fixture that evokes memories of her fearless batting performances against top-tier opponents.
The ICC’s Event Technical Committee approving her inclusion comprises Wasim Khan (Chair, ICC General Manager – Cricket), Gaurav Saxena (ICC General Manager, Events & Corporate Communications), Abey Kuruvilla (BCCI Tournament Director), and Mel Jones (Independent Nominee).
After a mixed league campaign, India finished the round with three wins, three losses, and one washed-out game. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side started strong with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan but endured back-to-back defeats against South Africa, Australia, and England before rebounding with a commanding victory against New Zealand, which confirmed their semi-final berth. Their league stage journey concluded with a wash-out against Bangladesh, led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, on 26th October, at the DY Patil Stadium.
Shafali’s return not only adds depth but could also restore India’s early-innings momentum alongside Mandhana. With the semi-final showdown against Australia looming, all eyes will be on the 21-year-old dynamo to effortlessly fit in India’s top order and fill the void left by the in-form Pratika Rawal.
Loves all things female cricket